Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Housing Safety topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Committee presses owner to fix fire alarms, mold at Aspen Street Apartments; Mount View status remains with county
Summary
Committee members were told fire alarm systems at Aspen Street Apartments "are not working again" and that mold remediation has not begun; staff said they will meet the owner, give written deadlines and may involve the state building inspector or citations if repairs are not made. Mount View remains with the county pending posting and structural review.
The Community Life & Public Safety Committee on Sept. 2 reviewed code-enforcement concerns at two properties, receiving new inspection information about Aspen Street Apartments and an update on the Mount View parcel that the county may take over.
Roman, a village staff member, said recent inspections from Fire Marshall Christensen showed that "some of the fire alarm systems are not working again," and that the village plans to meet the property owner on site and may bring in the state building inspector for apartment buildings if the owner does not make repairs. "If we're not able to get a meeting with him on site then we would proceed with citations," Roman said, describing an escalation path that could include written deadlines, citations and, ultimately, posting buildings as unfit for habitation.
Committee members pressed staff about mold remediation. When asked whether mold work had begun, Roman said the owner had "unfortunately have not proceeded with any of that." Staff said the priority is immediate life-safety items such as nonfunctioning fire systems and that they would seek the Department of Safety and Professional Services' (DSPS) opinion before pursuing condemnation.
Members discussed the scope and potential human impact: staff estimated the complex has eight apartments per building and six buildings (48 units total), and one committee member said the site appeared about "75% capacity," raising concerns about temporarily housing dozens of residents if units were posted uninhabitable. Roman said the village would coordinate with Marathon County and the police department on temporary housing options while attempting to avoid evictions where possible.
On the Mount View property, staff explained county processes after learning the listed owner of record is deceased; county posting and sheriff-sale procedures are underway. Roman said estate representatives told staff they "walked away" and that the county will determine structural soundness before deciding whether to market the property or remove the building.
The committee moved to acknowledge and place the code-enforcement report on file; the motion passed by voice vote.
Next steps: staff will meet on site with the Aspen Street owner, issue written deadlines as appropriate, coordinate with the fire marshal and DSPS, and report back to the committee on enforcement progress and any temporary housing needs for affected residents.
